Sawt Falasteen - Emery relishes Villa's 'special' Rotterdam visit

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Emery relishes Villa's 'special' Rotterdam visit / Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS - AFP

Emery relishes Villa's 'special' Rotterdam visit

SPORTS 01.10.2025

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says Thursday's Europa League clash with Feyenoord in Rotterdam is a "special" occasion for the club as they return to the scene of their greatest triumph.

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Villa won their first and only European Cup at Feyenoord's De Kuip Stadium in 1982 when Peter Withe's goal sealed a stunning 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich.

Villa are back in the Dutch city 43 years later seeking to build a winning run after beating Bologna in their Europa League opener and dispatching Fulham on Sunday to claim a first Premier League victory of the season.

Emery hopes the fond memories of Villa's iconic success in Rotterdam will inspire a win over Robin van Persie's team.

"In 1982 Aston Villa won here. Last year we played against Bayern Munich, the team they faced. That was something very special," Emery told reporters on Wednesday.

"Today we can remember this for our supporters. A lot of them were here, and we are now back.

"We need to show and to get emotions. We have to feel it. We have to feel history and the present, so we can create something.

"Each player too. I feel it. This is European football, something special."

Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord dropped down to the Europa League after failing to make the main draw of the Champions League.

Van Persie's men were beaten by Fenerbahce in the Champions League qualifiers and lost their Europa League opener at Portuguese side Braga 1-0.

But Feyenoord are unbeaten in domestic action after seven games and Emery said: "We are respecting them as well because they won the European Cup in 1970 and the UEFA Cup as well.

"Of course, the atmosphere here is so, so close for European football because Feyenoord are always in the Champions League or Europa League.

"Feyenoord performed fantastically in the Champions League last season, and every team who played them here were struggling.

"We have to dominate through our personality and try to stop them. We have to be focused for 90 minutes and respect them."

J.AbuShaban--SF-PST

Sawt Falasteen - Emery relishes Villa's 'special' Rotterdam visit

Emery relishes Villa's 'special' Rotterdam visit

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